This item is called the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu.
As Jiang Wan'er finished speaking, Elder Geng Tian and Li Xuan were both shaken. Regardless of what the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu was, the mere presence of the word "wood" was enough to stir the hearts of Li Xuan and the elder.
After all, only the Wood Pavilion had yet to acquire the treasures needed for their mission, and the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu would undoubtedly be an excellent choice.
"Dragons have inverse scales; touch them and they will rebel. In ancient times, when a divine dragon felt its end approaching, it would depart alone and enter the Qiao Abyss. Its physical body would transform, leaving behind only its hardest parts. This item is such an inverse scale."
"The inverse scale has been fused with the Qiao Mu for countless years, thus creating the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu. The spiritual energy of wood and the spiritual energy of dragon, intertwined, have formed another precious heavenly material and earthly treasure."
"The starting bid for this item is five hundred million Taiyuan Crystals, and each subsequent bid must not be less than one million Taiyuan Crystals. Esteemed guests, you may now place your bids." After Jiang Wan'er concluded her introduction and bowed, she retreated.
"This is troublesome; I fear we will once again antagonize the Primordial Dragon Clan," Li Xuan and Elder Geng Tian exchanged a wry smile after Jiang Wan'er's introduction.
Previously, Wang Jianye had incurred the displeasure of the Primordial Phoenix Clan for the Phoenix Cry Flaming Essence. Now, this Inverse Scale Qiao Mu was incredibly precious to the Primordial Dragon Clan.
However, as the pavilion master of the Wood Pavilion, Li Xuan naturally had to act for his mission. Under these circumstances, it was clear they had already formed an enmity with the Primordial Dragon Clan. If they were unaware, it would be one thing, but if the Dragon Clan knew, it could potentially affect the relationship between the Tianyi Domain and the Primordial Dragon and Phoenix Clans.
"It is fine. Any trouble from that side can be dealt with later. Our most urgent priority now is to complete the mission," Li Xuan said after a moment of contemplation.
Although the Primordial Phoenix Clan and the Primordial Dragon Clan did not dominate a region in the Cloud World, their influence was still considerable. Nevertheless, the Tianyi Domain did not fear these two clans. Furthermore, since it was an auction, the highest bidder would naturally win.
"Seven hundred and eighty-three million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"Seven hundred and eighty-five million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"One billion two hundred and eighty-six million Taiyuan Crystals!"
While Li Xuan and Elder Geng Tian were conversing, the bidding for the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu had already reached one billion two hundred and eighty-six million Taiyuan Crystals. Li Xuan paid no mind to this, as the price of the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu was likely to exceed five billion Taiyuan Crystals, just like the Phoenix Cry Flaming Essence.
Indeed, after the incident with the Primordial Phoenix Clan, the Primordial Dragon Clan might go to any lengths to secure it.
"Thirty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals!"
With a voice that rang out, Li Xuan could only shake his head with a bitter smile. The Primordial Dragon Clan had indeed made their move.
However, Li Xuan immediately countered, "Thirty-five billion and five million Taiyuan Crystals."
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, why bid so quickly? This approach seems unlike your usual style," seeing Li Xuan bid at this moment, the crowd exchanged glances of confusion and then asked.
Previously, Li Xuan almost always bid in the final moments. While the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu had reached thirty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals, there were still numerous bidders. Li Xuan's current action was indeed puzzling to many.
"Although our Tianyi Domain does not fear the Primordial Dragon Clan, it is best to avoid unnecessary trouble if possible. Bidding now is a way to show our stance. If we were to bid only at the very end, it would appear as though we don't respect the Primordial Dragon Clan," Li Xuan explained with a smile.
"So that's how it is." The crowd nodded in understanding.
The fact that Li Xuan was chosen as the leader of this team was gradually revealing his leadership qualities. A meticulous mind could strategize from afar, and a measured approach allowed for flexibility.
"Thirty-five billion and ten million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"Thirty-five billion and fifteen million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"Four billion three hundred and sixty million Taiyuan Crystals!"
The bidding continued to escalate. Li Xuan only waited for a minute before making another bid. When the bidding for the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu surpassed four billion, only four boxes remained in the competition, including Li Xuan's.
"Four billion five hundred million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"Four billion five hundred and five million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"Four billion eight hundred million Taiyuan Crystals!"
When Li Xuan declared a bid of four billion eight hundred million Taiyuan Crystals, the main hall fell silent. Even Wang Jianye and the others looked at Li Xuan in surprise, clearly wondering how he had accumulated so much Taiyuan Crystal, especially after he had successfully bid for two treasures on the first day of the auction.
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, this is the Six Domains Auction Convention. If you bid carelessly, it might attract trouble," Zhu Bing said with concern.
"Before leaving the Tianyi Pavilion, I was favored by White Venerable, who bestowed upon me thirty billion Taiyuan Crystals. I currently have enough to offer fifty billion," Li Xuan replied with a nod. At this point, there was no need to hide anything.
He deliberately omitted mentioning the twenty billion Taiyuan Crystals from the other four pavilions to prevent Wang Jianye and the others from having any reservations. After all, Li Xuan was of the same rank as them, and revealing such information might make them feel inferior to him.
"I had long heard that Pavilion Master Li Xuan and Lord White have a close relationship, and it turns out to be true. Since you have Taiyuan Crystals from Lord White, we need not worry. If you require assistance later, I can lend you twenty billion Taiyuan Crystals," Zhu Bing said, nodding in understanding.
During the previous auctions, Zhu Bing had only spent twenty-two billion Taiyuan Crystals, so he was able to provide approximately twenty billion Taiyuan Crystals at this moment.
Li Xuan nodded to Zhu Bing, "In that case, I thank Pavilion Master Zhu in advance."
"Fifty billion Taiyuan Crystals!"
While Li Xuan and Zhu Bing were conversing, the bids from the other three boxes continued to climb. Finally, when the leader of the Primordial Dragon Clan announced a bid of fifty billion Taiyuan Crystals, the other two boxes also ceased their bidding.
Li Xuan could only smile wryly, the situation was clearly similar to what Wang Jianye had experienced earlier.
"Pavilion Master Zhu, it seems I will indeed need your support. When we return to the pavilion, I will report this matter to Lord Wood and repay you in full," Li Xuan said, glancing at the box where the Primordial Dragon Clan was located before turning to Zhu Bing.
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, just make your bid," Zhu Bing replied, nodding. After all, these Taiyuan Crystals were given by Supreme Master Zhang Chao, and even as a pavilion master, Zhu Bing could not freely give them to Li Xuan without expectation of repayment.
"Fifty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals!" After receiving Zhu Bing's confirmation, Li Xuan immediately placed his bid, increasing the price by five billion Taiyuan Crystals in one go.
"Who exactly is behind box number seven?" A man sitting in box number ten furrowed his brow as Li Xuan made his bid. The woman sitting beside him also frowned slightly and shook her head.
"During the auction for the Phoenix Cry Flaming Essence, the seventh box successfully bid for fifty-one billion Taiyuan Crystals. Now they have bid fifty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals again. This level of financial strength is truly formidable. Even if our two clans combined, our total would only be ninety-five billion Taiyuan Crystals."
"If this continues, we might not be able to afford the final grand item. Furthermore, this person directly increased the bid by five billion Taiyuan Crystals, suggesting they have further resources," the woman mused, her words clearly indicating a willingness to withdraw.
"Very well. While the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu is extremely important to our Primordial Dragon Clan, it is difficult to continue bidding under the current circumstances," the man nodded after a few moments of thought.
"Now, the esteemed guest in box number seven has bid fifty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals. Are there any other esteemed guests who wish to bid?" Jiang Wan'er stepped forward and inquired after a few seconds of silence.
With the Primordial Dragon Clan no longer participating, the other boxes naturally also stopped bidding. Seeing this, Jiang Wan'er announced, "Congratulations to the esteemed guest in box number seven for successfully acquiring the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu at the price of fifty-five billion Taiyuan Crystals!"
Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. With the Inverse Scale Qiao Mu secured, the mission for the five pavilions had finally been successfully completed.